Worthy Life Challenge: Congratulatory Message from W. Lovell Turner, Principal to East Suffolk High Class of 1960

Article 6 Volume 12

Looking back.  It was more than 62 years ago when Mr. W. Lovell Turner, the Principal, of East Suffolk High School wrote the following timeless congratulatory message to one of the school's most endeared graduating classes. The class of 1960. However, we want to share, and believe it can speak on behalf of all the graduates of ESH from 1940-1965.**

Mr. Turner was the only principal for this historic high school in its 26-year active history. It is estimated that more than 2,200 students graduated from this school, directly or indirectly during its tenure.

Mr. Turner a native of Anniston, Alabama was familiar with the trials and tribulations that confronted the African-American race in the United States. Therefore, this compelling message is as true today as it was when it was written and presented to the class in 1960.

**Racial adjustment. No graduating class in 1957. 12th grade was added for the school year 1957-1958.   The 12th grade had been in the high schools for white students for many years prior to 1957. 

Mr. Turner's message to the class:

                                                                                        "We are very happy to extend to you the class of 1960 our sincere congratulations on this particular occasion, your graduation from high school. This is an occasion that one never forgets no matter how many degrees he or she may receive.  We hope that during your stay here, the faculty and administration have been able to challenge you to the point that you will find yourselves in years to come in positions of influence for good Christian, democratic living in all walks of life we pray that the time will come when you will be able to stand upright and truly say "We are Americans in every sense of the word." This you will be able to do if you work hard and be thorough in all academic details, and treat all people, regardless of race, color, or creed, as human beings."                                                                       

                                                 W. Lovell Turner,

                                             /s/ W. Lovell Turner 

                                                       Principal   

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 Worth noting: This message was written 3 years before Dr. Martin Luther King's famous Message on August 28,1963, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.

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